Description
Position Summary
The Director of Development is a key member of the executive team that works to secure funds
needed to advance the mission of Catch Up & Read to equip children to read on grade level by
3rd grade so they can graduate from high school and break the generational cycle of poverty.
This role takes primary responsibility for prospecting, securing, and stewarding individual donors,
foundations and companies through grant-writing and donor engagement initiatives to raise
$2MM annually with increasing revenue goals as the organization scales. This role writes and
manage grants, plans special events, manages the database and donor recognition programs;
and works with the President and Board to develop and steward major gifts and donor
relationships. The Director of Development must have strong skills in both organization and
relationship-building, an ability to multitask, strong communication and project management
skills, and a proactive approach to their role.
Essential Functions
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without
reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation
may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
Director of Development Responsibilities
• Set vision, strategy and goals for fundraising that inspires others to follow, leveraging the
President and Development Committee of the Board.
• Create an annual development plan at the start of each fiscal year to support the
organization’s strategic plan, mission and vision.
• Increase giving from individuals, foundations and organizations
• Steward individual donors and funding partners at all levels of giving
• Research, cultivate, recruit, and schedule prospective donors for tours and other
development activities. Work with the President and CAR board when they need to take
action regarding a particular donor or funder.
• Ability to nimbly flex functional skills from strategic planning to execution
• Implement and oversee organizational marketing and messaging strategy. Oversee
development associate and program staff as they integrate messaging into digital, social
media, and print marketing and fundraising materials. Create content for high-level print
and digital communications.
• Direct and manage individual fundraising appeals, including: North Texas Giving Day and
the End of Year appeal.
• Ensure grant pipeline is robust and oversee timely submission of grant applications and
reports throughout the year
• Oversee donor database to ensure timely entry of information, gift processing and
acknowledgement. Manage reports to ensure ability to react promptly to donor needs.
• Secure sponsors for donor events. Oversee fundraising events including: program
celebrations, Thanksgiving event, Donor Appreciation, etc.
• Develop appropriate donor relations and stewardship plan and oversee plan’s
implementation.
• Manage and develop staff associate providing direction and coaching through 1:1s, training,
mid-year and year end feedback.
• Establish and oversee tracking and management of SMART goals and metrics; use analysis
to improve execution and ensure high quality work.
• Act as subject matter expert, with the ability to report key findings and trends to senior
leadership.
• Show commitment to public education, students, educators and Catch Up & Read mission,
vision and values.
Position Qualifications
Competency Statement(s)
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Ethical - Ability to work with highest integrity.
• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others verbally and through clear,
concise and compelling writing.
• Relationship Management - Ability to build trusting relationships with diverse internal and
external stakeholders.
• Project Management - Ability to translate strategies into plans that can be effectively
executed with efficient workflow using metrics and technology to improve execution.
• Functional Excellence: Ability to exhibit and continually grow expertise within role.
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
5 + years of experience in nonprofit development and grant
writing. Demonstrated success in recruiting and managing
individual donors and grant funders. Excellent written and
verbal communication skills are crucial to success in this role.
Experience in marketing and communications, including email
marketing and social media, is a plus. Experience in the
education sector is a plus.
Computer Skills:
Proficient in all Microsoft applications, donor management
systems, MailChimp, Adobe Suite, and willing to learn new
software and programs.
Other:
Knowledge/experience with content creation, writing and
design. Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced
environment
Ability to learn on the job and be a self-starter
Mandatory valid driver’s license and insurance, current
background check and vaccine status required in compliance
with Dallas ISD schools.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to terry@catchupandread.org.
We are happy to talk to anyone who might be interested as well.
